Surgery

Surgery plays a vital role in the management and treatment of cancer. Most cancers are diagnosed by a biopsy. Our surgeons perform open or laparoscopic biopsies, mostly on an outpatient basis.

For diagnosis of breast cancer PCH offers a minimally invasive technique that uses x-rays to pinpoint the suspicious mass so precisely that it can remove a specimen for biopsy with very little pain and minimal disruption of normal activities.

Some cancers can be managed with definitive resections, which are usually done in an inpatient setting. PCH has board certified surgical and anesthesia staff in the operating room, recovery room, intensive care unit and the surgical floor. Other supportive procedures, such as the insertion of implantable catheters for chemotherapy are done for the patient’s comfort.

“We have the only cancer program in the area that is accredited by the American College of Surgeons, and we are committed to providing high quality, cost-effective health care.”

— Generoso D. Duremdes, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Cancer Liaison Officer


Otolaryngology

Head and neck cancer are often found in the sinuses, the nose, the larynx, the mouth, the tongue, the throat, and on the skin’s surface. Princeton Community Hospital’s cancer network includes physicians who are board certified in facial plastic surgery and in the treatment of cancer in the head and neck region. Surgical procedures for these cancers are conducted at PCH, and patients seldom need referral to centers outside of the community. Through radiation therapy and laser or plastic surgery, Princeton Community Hospital offers quality treatment for cancers in the head and neck region.

“The key is getting skilled physicians to hit it hard enough. With the expertise available here, there is no reason to go anywhere else for treatment.”

— Lee E. Smith, M.D., F.A.C.S
Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery


Urology

Complete urological services are available at PCH in the form of screening, cystoscopy, chemotherapy, and bladder instillation. These procedures, alone or accompanied by other treatment modalities, can often control or even cure many cancers.


Dermatology

Dermatologists deal with cancers related to the skin’s surface, such as skin cancer and cancerous moles. Dermatology experts at PCH emphasize that preventive measures should be taken to avoid skin cancer. Such measures include educating patients about the sun’s effect on the skin, and the importance of using sunblock. These skin specialists offer total body exams to detect any signs of skin cancer or melanomas, and they offer treatment of such cancers usually through chemical or surgical procedures.

“We offer total skin care from education to prevention to treatment.”

— David L. Tolliver, D.O.
Dermatology


Chemotherapy • Hematology • Oncology

Chemotherapy is the use of powerful drugs to control the growth of cancer cells. Most of these drugs are given through the veins and are distributed to almost the entire body. These drugs also affect normal cells. It is the role of the oncologist to determine the most advantageous drug or drugs to use, the scheduling of treatment, and use of supportive measures to minimize side effects and monitor the patient throughout the treatment.

Treatment is given in the chemotherapy unit on the second floor of the hospital. Before starting the treatment, a conference is held with the patient and immediate family members who will be caring for the patient.

Princeton Community Hospital is recognized as one of the first in the area to offer chemo-therapy treatment for cancer patients. The unit was developed in 1982, and is staffed by board certified oncology nurses who provide personalized care to patients and their families. The attractive, modern facilities are equipped with an on-site lab for patient convenience.

Other supportive services offered include blood transfusion, hydration, port flushes, and intrathecal and intravesical chemotherapy. Drugs for modulation of the immune system such as G-CSF, IFN, and IL2 are also offered.

Other oncology units in the community include Princeton Hematology and Oncology staffed by Dr. Rowena Chambers, and the office of Dr. Muhammed Khokar.


Radiation Oncology


In radiation therapy, high energy rays are targeted to hit a tumor and kill its cancerous cells. With modern techniques, radiation therapy can be implemented in ways that minimize many side effects that were once unavoidable. The goal of radiation therapy is to provide effective treatment to a cancer without extensive damage to the normal cells around the cancer. Radiation therapy is the treatment of choice for many cancers. It can be used alone or with systemic chemotherapy or surgical procedures to control or even cure cancer. Radiation therapy preserves anatomic structures and their functions.


Clinical Trials


For many cancer patients, clinical trials offer new options for treatment. For some, there is no other option. Participating in a clinical trial may be their last hope for survival. For those whose treatment hasn’t succeeded, there is nothing to lose. But what is a clinical trial, and how does it work?

A clinical trial is a research study performed with human volunteers to answer specific questions related to the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of disease.

The clinical trial team includes doctors, nurses, social workers and other health care professionals. They check the health of the participant at the beginning of the trial, give specific instructions to follow, monitor the participant carefully during the trial and stay in touch after the trial is completed.

Protocol nurse Cami Maxwell reviews cancer diagnoses at PCH to identify which patients meet the criteria to participate in clinical trials. When potential participants are identified, Maxwell and the physician discuss the trials with the patients to help them decide whether or not to participate. Participation in a clinical trial is strictly voluntary, and those who choose to participate may drop out at any time. Once the decision is made, patients are registered online. A computer randomly selects which patients will receive the standard treatment and which ones will receive the experimental treatment, which could be a new drug or a new way of administering an established drug.

Information from the National Institutes of Health describes different types of trials that serve different purposes. Treatment trials test new treatments, new combinations of drugs or new approaches to surgery or radiation therapy. Prevention trials look for better ways to prevent disease in people who have never had it or to prevent disease from recurring in those who have. These approaches may include medicines, vitamins, vaccines, minerals or lifestyle changes. Diagnostic trials are conducted to find better tests or procedures for diagnosing a particular disease or condition. Screening trials test the best way to detect certain diseases or health conditions. Quality of life trials explore ways to improve comfort and quality of life for those with a chronic illness.

Clinical trials are funded by a variety of organizations such as medical institutions, foundations, voluntary groups and pharmaceutical companies, as well as federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.